There she was, out of the blue.

Dainty, fair skinned and with a beatific smile on her bespectacled heart shaped face, she presented an attractive picture of innocence and quiet competence.

Her appearance during my second year in Junior Secondary School caused quite a stir, considering that it was an all-male institution where the regular faces were those of battle hardened men. Her delicate beauty immediately arrested the attention of all and sundry. Who knew if that was part of Management’s therapeutic plan?

When she was eventually introduced as the new English Language teacher for junior classes, our collective joy (those of us who fell in that category) knew no bounds. Personally my heart flew out of my body, I was totally smitten, ‘in love’ for the very first time.

She was not only a guardian Angel sent to order my every step towards mastering the Queen’s own tongue; she was my very first crush. In her class, every word was important, every correction duly noted and every lesson promptly taken to heart, never to be forgotten.

It’s been over two decades, but the many benefits of those lessons she taught way back then are still being felt today. She opened a door which not only brought insight to my educational quest, but also empowered that young ‘love stricken’ boy to go forth and take his place in the world. He has never looked back since.

Wherever you may be right now Ms Bukola Ogunyemi (I don’t have any idea what her married name is), take a well-deserved bow. Your boy is still representing, and will continue to do you proud, always.

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